Long before I "discovered" fine cigars, I was a pipe smoker. At first, I was of the "Dr. Grabow/Kaywoodie/Sir Walter Raleigh/Prince Albert in a can" type. I wasn't getting much enjoyment out of it. Then a friend showed me the difference between that genre, and that of fine pipes and tobaccos. I've been hooked ever since. Below are some links to favorite sites about smoking fine pipes and fine tobacco.

If briar is the king of pipe making material, then meerschaum is the queen. Meerschaum is a German word meaning "sea foam". When mined, this mineral is snowy white. After it is made into a pipe and that pipe is smoked for a while, the meerschaum turns a light tan, light brown, and finally a rich dark brown - this process may take years.

Almost all the world's meerschaum is mined in Turkey. It's the one place my European command had sites where I wasn't sent TDY. Good quality meerschaum pipes can be picked up in Turkey for a fraction of their US price.

My prize meerschaum is one made by the master Turkish pipemaker Özel. I got it in 1982; it's turning brown nicely, and the taste improves by the day!

Click on the icon below to see some fine examples of meerschaum pipes.

What do you need besides a good pipe to enjoy a great smoke? The answer should be obvious - a tobacco to match your pipe. If you have a good pipe, the worst thing you can do is smoke a tobacco of the sort sold in the supermarket. Most smokers in the know prefer a British blend (my favorite), or a Cavendish blend. To learn more about fine tobacco, click on the tobacco plant below.

My own personal favorites happen to be British blends, and in particular those made by Dunhill. In addition to the always popular "My Mixture 965", there are these two stalwarts:

The lesson contained in the icon below is obvious: Rotate your pipes!!!

I'm firmly convinced that if you look long enough, you can find ANYTHING on the Web. Need proof? I submit for your consideration, the following sites:

Unbelievable Site #1

Unbelievable Site #2

We have many troops in the Persian Gulf Area. These fine men and women need our support. To find out what you can do, click on the "sos" logo below.

I love music! Other than classical music, the kind I love best are hymns. Below are links to some of my favorites. Click on the title to hear the hymn, read the lyrics, and find out a little about its history and its composer

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Come, Thou Almighty King

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Every time I think the world is a place without humor, I run into sites like those below.

List of Possible Slogans For National Condom Week.

The Lord's Prayer in Ebonics.

Possible Signs That You Are a Redneck.

Huge Collection of "Yo Momma" Jokes.

Real Newspaper Headlines.

Ron Springer

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

Here's a picture of our "beloved" president trying to evade the Grand Jury.

We currently have a president who, in addition to being a yellow bellied draft dodging coward, has the morals of an alley cat. Had we followed the advice of the bumper stickers below, we wouldn't be in this mess.

The US Postal Service has just announced our newest commemorative postage stamp.

For all kinds of information about Presidents of the United States (including "Shit for Brains"), click on the logo below.

In case you need a refresher, here's a link to The Constitution of the United States of America.

Just how much money is a LOT of money? Well, as the late Senator Ev Dirksen (R-IL) once said, "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about REAL money!". All kidding aside, if you want to read something pretty scary, go to this site about the National Debt.

My Politics

You've probably figured out by now where I stand politically. If you haven't, you must be:

(a) Not very observant

(b) A flaming Liberal

(c) Stupid

(d) All of the above.

Just in case though, here's where it's at:

I support the following positions, organizations and people: Rush Limbaugh, The Christian Coalition, and Ken Hamblin (The Black Avenger).

Abortion is MURDER! Only someone who has never seen one, or someone completely lacking a conscience could say otherwise. I was unfortunate enough to have witnessed an abortion when I was a Medic in the army, and the vision of it haunts me to this day! And so called "partial birth abortion" is not only murder, but unspeakable torture of a living person as well. To find out what can be done, visit National Right to Life.

If you don't know all of the above, you probably need some basic education. To get it, click on the bar below.

Support innocent diarrhea victims!

Is there somebody you just can't stand? I mean somebody your really hate? Maybe he belongs on this list. Then again, maybe he's already on it. Now - my question: is there a female equivalent? And for the bonus prize: What would it be called????

Since the inception of Schloß Von Springer, we have received a number of awards; some for which we've applied, and some unsolicited. To go to a page which lists all of our awards, click on the bar below.

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To return to Schloß Von Springer

click on the castle below.

A Statement by Albert Einstein

not

I think that Ron Springer is one of the most intelligent sons of b****** I've ever met, and just an all around great f****** guy!

A Statement by Another Famous Person

Also not

"I've known Ron Springer for nearly fourscore and seven years. He's one of the finest mother******* I've ever known! Had I not freed the slaves, he probably would have (yeah, right)."

Another Ringing Endorsement

In over 4000 years I've known a lot of cool motherfuckers, and I'm here to tell you that Ron Springer is one of the best motherfuckers I've ever known, and that's really saying something!.

Pharoah Tutankamen

And Yet Another!

I certainly agree with all the famous people above! If I had to pick my favorite motherfucker from all eternity, it would be Ron Springer! But I keep telling him that here in ancient Athens, don't drop the soap in the shower and then bend over and pick it up!

Socrates

Would you like one of our awards? As long as your site is "child friendly" there shouldn't be a problem. To find out more, click on the bar below.

Yes folks, due to popular demand, there is yet another page! To go there click below.